The playoffs are here, and the road to Ford Field starts now! The 2026 MHSAA football postseason officially kicks off this weekend, with 256 teams across eight divisions beginning their journey toward a state championship.

The Goosepoop website is updated once again with the latest team ratings, projected spreads, over/unders, win probabilities, and more for every first-round matchup.

The regular season is behind us, and now it's win or go home. From heavyweight showdowns to potential Cinderella stories, the opening round is loaded with intriguing matchups and opportunities for playoff chaos across Michigan.

Below, we'll break down the biggest games, championship contenders, potential upsets, and storylines to watch in Round 1. For the full slate of projections, rankings, and more, head over to the Goosepoop website.

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Heading into the playoffs, here's the entire Division 1 field, ranked 1–32 by our computer ratings:

And here's how the Division 1 playoff bracket shook out:

Division 1 is absolutely loaded this year. Detroit Catholic Central enters the playoffs as the top-rated team in the Goosepoop model, followed by undefeated East Kentwood and Cass Tech. Clarkston, Romeo, and Saline aren't far behind, setting up what should be a highly competitive road to Ford Field.

The left side of the bracket is especially brutal, featuring six of the top ten teams in the computer ratings, including Catholic Central, East Kentwood, Clarkston, Rockford, and Grand Blanc. Meanwhile, Cass Tech, Romeo, and Saline highlight the opposite side, potentially benefiting from a slightly less crowded path to the championship.

First-round matchups to watch: Howell vs. Grandville, East Kentwood vs. Brighton, and Grand Blanc vs. Hartland. With so many quality teams packed into the same regions, Division 1 could deliver some major matchups well before the semifinals.

Heading into the playoffs, here's the entire Division 2 field, ranked 1–32 by our computer ratings:

And here's how the Division 2 playoff bracket shook out:

Orchard Lake St. Mary's enters the Division 2 playoffs as the clear No. 1 team in the Goosepoop ratings, but there's plenty of competition behind them. Mona Shores, Byron Center, Caledonia, and Brother Rice round out the top five, with several other programs capable of making a deep postseason run.

The left side of the bracket is stacked, with Mona Shores, Byron Center, and Caledonia all competing for a spot in the championship. That could create a difficult road for each of those contenders. Meanwhile, St. Mary's and Brother Rice sit on the opposite side, meaning the division's two highest-rated teams on that half could potentially meet before Ford Field.

First-round matchups to watch: Byron Center vs. Muskegon is a particularly interesting one. Despite its 4-5 record, Muskegon ranks tenth in the division according to the model. Caledonia vs. East Lansing and Midland Dow vs. Walled Lake Western are also worth keeping an eye on.

Heading into the playoffs, here's the entire Division 3 field, ranked 1–32 by our computer ratings:

And here's how the Division 3 playoff bracket shook out:

Division 3 has no shortage of championship contenders. Detroit Martin Luther King sits atop the computer ratings despite a 6-3 record, followed by Harper Woods, DeWitt, St. Joseph, and undefeated Chelsea. The top of the division is competitive, with several teams that have legitimate championship potential.

The bracket creates some interesting possibilities. DeWitt and St. Joseph are both on the left side, along with Zeeland West and several other highly rated teams. On the right, Detroit MLK and Harper Woods could be headed toward a major playoff showdown, while undefeated Chelsea has an opportunity to make a deep run from the upper portion of that side.

First-round matchups to watch: DeWitt vs. Lowell is a big one right out of the gate, featuring the division's third- and seventh-rated teams. Coopersville vs. East Grand Rapids and Zeeland West vs. Niles are also intriguing opening-round games.

Heading into the playoffs, here's the entire Division 4 field, ranked 1–32 by our computer ratings:

And here's how the Division 4 playoff bracket shook out:

Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills enters Division 4 as the highest-rated team in the Goosepoop model, followed by undefeated Edwardsburg and Goodrich. Paw Paw, Divine Child, and Grand Rapids South Christian round out a strong group of championship contenders.

The left side of the bracket looks particularly challenging, with Kenowa Hills, Edwardsburg, Paw Paw, and South Christian all fighting for the same championship-game spot. Kenowa Hills and Edwardsburg could be on a collision course, but neither has an easy road. On the other side, Goodrich and Divine Child appear well positioned to make deep runs, although several teams could disrupt those plans.

First-round matchups to watch: Edwardsburg vs. Vicksburg gives us an immediate rematch of two familiar opponents, while Kenowa Hills vs. Grand Rapids Christian is another interesting opener. Unity Christian vs. Spring Lake could also be a competitive matchup.

Heading into the playoffs, here's the entire Division 5 field, ranked 1–32 by our computer ratings:

And here's how the Division 5 playoff bracket shook out:

Division 5 might be one of the most wide-open championship races in the state. Grand Rapids West Catholic leads the computer ratings, with Frankenmuth, Hopkins, and Ogemaw Heights all close behind. There's very little separation among the division's top contenders, which could make for an unpredictable postseason.

The biggest storyline, however, is the MHSAA's decision to withdraw Grand Rapids Catholic Central from the playoffs due to the use of an ineligible player during the regular season. The Cougars were ranked fifth in our computer ratings and were a serious championship contender. Their removal shakes up the left side of the bracket considerably, with Comstock Park now automatically advancing to the district final against the winner of Lake Odessa Lakewood vs. Berrien Springs.

That opens up the path for several teams, although West Catholic, Hopkins, and Ogemaw Heights still make the left side extremely competitive. Frankenmuth, meanwhile, sits on the opposite side and could benefit from avoiding those contenders until the championship. Its biggest obstacles include Swan Valley, Notre Dame Prep, and Monroe Jefferson.

First-round matchups to watch: Lake Odessa Lakewood vs. Berrien Springs stands out immediately, featuring the sixth- and eighth-rated teams in the division, with a district final against Comstock Park awaiting the winner. Ogemaw Heights vs. Reed City is another game worth following.

Heading into the playoffs, here's the entire Division 6 field, ranked 1–32 by our computer ratings:

And here's how the Division 6 playoff bracket shook out:

Division 6 features an incredibly tight race at the top, with Jackson Lumen Christi holding just a slight edge over Clinton in the computer ratings. Undefeated Sanford Meridian and Kingsley follow, with Olivet rounding out the top five.

The bracket sets up an interesting contrast. Sanford Meridian and Kingsley, both undefeated, are on the same half and could eventually meet in a major postseason matchup. On the opposite side, Lumen Christi and Clinton are the two highest-rated teams and could be headed toward a showdown of their own before Ford Field. That creates the possibility of a championship matchup between two very different halves of the bracket.

First-round matchups to watch: Gladwin vs. Harbor Springs is an interesting opener, while Kingsley vs. Mason County Central and Lumen Christi vs. Columbia Central kick off the postseason journeys for two of the division's biggest contenders.

Heading into the playoffs, here's the entire Division 7 field, ranked 1–32 by our computer ratings:

And here's how the Division 7 playoff bracket shook out:

Ithaca enters the Division 7 playoffs as the clear No. 1 team in the Goosepoop model, with a noticeable rating advantage over the rest of the field. Constantine, EPB Laker, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, and undefeated Millington round out the top five.

The bracket puts Ithaca on the same half as EPB Laker, Millington, and Pewamo-Westphalia, creating a challenging road despite its rating advantage. On the opposite side, Constantine and Monroe SMCC are the highest-rated contenders, with Whiteford and Cassopolis also capable of making noise. Constantine could benefit from avoiding Ithaca until a potential championship game, but its half is far from a cakewalk.

First-round matchups to watch: Pewamo-Westphalia vs. Cass City is an interesting opener for the unbeaten Pirates. Millington vs. Clintondale and Monroe SMCC vs. Leslie are also matchups to follow as the bracket begins to take shape.

Heading into the playoffs, here's the entire Division 8 field, ranked 1–32 by our computer ratings:

And here's how the Division 8 playoff bracket shook out:

Hudson enters the Division 8 playoffs as the top-rated team in the computer model, followed by undefeated Beal City. There's a significant gap between those two and the rest of the field, with Ubly, Unionville-Sebewaing, and Decatur rounding out the top five.

The bracket separates Hudson and Beal City onto opposite halves, keeping a potential showdown between the division's top two teams alive for the championship game. Beal City shares its half with Ubly and Unionville-Sebewaing, creating a potentially difficult road through several of the division's strongest teams. Hudson, meanwhile, could benefit from a more favorable path, although Decatur, Springport, and Manchester will be looking to challenge the Tigers.

First-round matchups to watch: Beal City vs. Beaverton, Ubly vs. Vassar, and Decatur vs. Maple Valley are among the opening-round games to keep an eye on. With the division's two highest-rated teams on opposite sides, Division 8 could be building toward a fascinating finish.

That’s everything you need heading into the first round of the playoffs!

The road to Ford Field starts now! After nine weeks of regular season football, the field is set and 256 teams across eight divisions are ready to battle for a state championship. From heavyweight matchups to potential Cinderella runs, the opening round has plenty of opportunities for upsets, surprises, and playoff chaos!

The regular season was a blast, but this is where things really get interesting. It's win or go home from here on out!

Enjoy the games, follow along with all of our playoff projections on the Goosepoop website, and let us know what you think!

We'll be back next week to break down all the first-round action and get you ready for Round 2!

Love,
Goose & Doak